A Search Technique of Control Rod Pattern for Smoothing Core Power Distributions by Fuzzy Automaton

This paper deals with a new search technique for optimum using a fuzzy automaton, which has been developed for the purpose of determining a desirable rod pattern for smoothing the core power distribution. Using the algorithm thus developed, the optimal input vector applied to a controlled system whose characteristics are unknown is determined automatically from a learning operation of the fuzzy automaton when an initial guess and a hypothetical range of optimal input vector are given. The characteristics of this algorithm are examined for an example of its application to a simple problem. The optimal control rod pattern for smoothing the core power distribution is also determined by this algorithm in a simulation study using the three-dimensional boiling water reactor simulator “FLARE”. It is concluded that optimum points are obtained with sufficient convergence and with only a small increase in the number of iterations and computation time accompanying an increase in the number of components of the input vector. The predicted optimal control rod pattern in the simulation study can be considered reliable.